The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step—and for our Cultural Integration Through Design Thinking project, that crucial first step was our two-day kickoff meeting. Partners from Poland, Greece, and Romania gathered to transform months of planning into concrete action.
More Than Just Paperwork
While kickoff meetings often conjure images of endless paperwork and formal presentations, ours was refreshingly different. Yes, we confirmed agreements and clarified roles, but the real magic happened in the spaces between—during coffee breaks when our Greek partner shared insights about their long tradition of migrant integration, or when our Romanian colleagues described their innovative theater programs.
Aligning Our Vision
One of our primary goals was ensuring everyone truly understood not just what they were supposed to do, but why it mattered. Each partner brought unique strengths to the table: Poland’s fresh perspective as a newcomer to large-scale integration initiatives, Romania’s deep experience with cultural programming and human resources, and Greece’s expertise in e-learning and established integration practices.
The discussions revealed something powerful: while our contexts differ, our commitment to empowering young migrants through cultural participation is unwavering across all three countries.
Building the Framework for Success
Beyond the formal agreements, we established the communication protocols and collaborative frameworks that will carry us through the next phase of our work. We mapped out timelines, clarified expectations, and most importantly, created the trust foundation essential for meaningful transnational cooperation.
The energy in the room was palpable as we outlined our next steps: the comprehensive Design Thinking workshop that will equip our youth workers with the tools they need to conduct those crucial in-depth interviews with young migrants.
Looking Ahead
As we concluded our kickoff meeting, it became clear that we weren’t just launching a project—we were beginning a movement. The combination of diverse expertise, shared values, and innovative methodology positions us to create something truly impactful for young migrants across Europe.
Our next milestone? The three-day Design Thinking workshop where we’ll dive deep into empathy-building techniques and interview methodologies. But that’s a story for our next update.
The foundation has been set. Now, the real work begins.
Follow our journey as we move from planning to action, from theory to practice, and from ideas to impact.